Every word from Erik's pre-Palace press conference

Tuesday 17 January 2023 13:30

Erik ten Hag has briefed the media ahead of Manchester United's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, which will take place on Wednesday evening at Selhurst Park.

The boss fielded questions from journalists in the aftermath of our thrilling 2-1 Manchester derby win on Saturday, looking ahead to the Reds' midweek trip to the capital.

New signing Wout Weghorst was on the agenda, as was the fitness of Anthony Martial, who had to be withdrawn at half-time in that fixture against Pep Guardiola's side.

Ahead of our match against the Eagles, read every single word of the first part of Erik's press conference below...

Part one: Erik's pre-Palace press conference Video

Part one: Erik's pre-Palace press conference

The boss discusses Martial's fitness, Weghorst and Bruno's position, ahead of our trip to London...

Erik, was Anthony Martial injured when you brought him off?
''I hoped to avoid [him] getting injured. He was complaining, so that's why he also didn't train in the week and why he was a question mark. We decided, and he decided as well. He begged to start because I knew the start would be so important in this game. Especially because he is really good with his pressing and he is a really big element in our pressing, and he did that really well before half-time. But also you saw he was not capable to go 100 per cent and that's what you need. Also, to avoid [him] getting injured, we took him off. But it also had an impact on our game, a negative impact after half-time.''

If he's not available, would Wout Weghorst be in contention to start against Palace or would that be too soon?
'I have to think that over. First, settle down this game and make the right conclusions. Then we will make a clear plan. I have to see [for] Palace. Of course, I know already a lot about Palace, we faced them also in pre-season, I know how the team is. The total plan I don't have now, I didn’t construct it until now. So from this point on, we can construct and we can prepare the team in the right way.''

Erik, in terms of the result today and the high of this win against Manchester City, what has been your message to the players in terms of resetting for the Crystal Palace game? Do you almost have to give them the opportunity to celebrate this or do they have to forget it and move on instantly?
''I think [after] every win, you have to celebrate. You work so hard for such momentum. Every win that is so great in top football, if you can't celebrate, I think you kill the energy as well. So we have to celebrate it, but after it, we have to settle down and after 24 hours, move on and go to the next game. Then you get in the right rhythm. Every third day, we have to deliver and the players have to get in the right rhythm from a physical point of view, but also mentally and be ready for the next game and that is against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.''

Wout Weghorst | The signing interview Video

Wout Weghorst | The signing interview

“It's the right moment to take on this great challenge,” says our new arrival, in a 15-minute signing interview…

Bruno Fernandes won Man of the Match (on Sky Sports) against Manchester City. You decided to play him on the right-hand side. Can I ask, what do you see Bruno Fernandes offering from a wide position rather than through the middle?
''The idea was, with Bruno on the right wing, especially in defending, but he defended, I think, as usual. But in possession, he had a role to come in between the lines to bring an extra player there, to bring the opponent problems in hesitation and confusion. I think he played that role really brilliantly on the right and on the left also. I think the rest of the team adapted well to the situation and I think we had really good breaks by finding the free man. Bruno was important factor in that role and he was important to the pressing as well, I think. I didn't know he was [Sky’s] Man of the Match, but he was my Man of the Match, definitely, Bruno Fernandes.''

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